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Ashkenaz fest takes Jewish culture global

Eliana Engel-Yan, 9, plays in the grass while waiting for performers to start their scheduled act during the Ashkenaz Festival at the Harbourfront Centre, in Toronto. (Toronto Star / Melissa Renwick)

By Jasmine KabatayStaff Reporter

Mon., Sept. 5, 2016

A Japanese folk band of four playing a mix of klezmer and New Orleans jazz, performed in Japanese street tradition. A 16-piece band that describes itself as “Canada’s only Balkan-klezmer-gypsy-party-punk-super-band.” A gypsy kumbia orchestra with an “Afro-Colombian infused circus-like show.”

Diversity isn’t lacking at the Ashkenaz Festival, billed as North America’s largest festival for global Jewish music and culture.

The biennial festival began 21 years ago as a showcase for artists working in the klezmer and Yiddish revival, a musical tradition of Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe. Since then it’s grown and branched out to many artists and performers, expressing the diversity of global Jewish culture.

Performers get ready to take the stage during the Ashkenaz Festival at the Harbourfront Centre, in Toronto. (Melissa Renwick/Toronto Star)

Stuck in the blackout that afflicted CityPlace condo towers for 18 hours over the weekend, Daniela Bruce and her family decided to walk down the street to Harbourfront Centre.

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“We had to go out and work on some energy of our own and so here we are,” Bruce said, adding that her children’s father is Jewish.

“It’s a nice way to know one of their many heritages, and I love how family-friendly it is. It feels so welcoming.”

More than 250 artists are participating in a range of events that began Tuesday and wrap up Labour Day Monday evening, including film, dance, literature, kids programming, food, workshops and more. Artists from the around the globe have come as well, with countries such as Brazil, Italy, France, Israel and Poland represented.

Eric Stein, the festival’s artistic director, says it’s very important to “share the brilliance and vitality of Jewish artistic creation” with a broader community.

“Over half of our audience isn’t even Jewish. So it’s been amazing to share the eclecticism and diversity and incredible creativity of Jewish art and culture with the entire community,” said Stein.

Stein says the festival ensures that multicultural Toronto is reflected in the programming as well.

A huge highlight is Monday afternoon’s parade, where the programming takes a pause and musicians, artists, and even giant puppets circle around Harbourfront along the lake.

Most of the programs are free to all, but some events are ticketed, including concerts and theatre productions.

Aviva Chernick performed with Juno-nominated band Jaffa Road at the festival this year, and has played for the past five. The band plays Jewish music that blends Arabic, Indian, jazz, rock and dub influences.

Chernick says it’s a treat for her to be here, and is excited the group keeps being invited back. She also says it’s a great way to meet artists from around the world that see Jewish culture through different lenses.

“Singing, dancing and celebration, and meeting people and learning, and discovering new lenses on Jewish culture — we need that.”

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